acerbic

adjective

ə-ˈsər-bik How to pronounce acerbic (audio)
Definition of acerbicnext
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acerbic The men exude contentious authority in various ways, from the grandee’s circumspect command and Uncle Jeb’s sly omniscience to the mechanic’s viperish resentment and Billy’s acerbic flirtation. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 The novel follows Lila Dixon, an acerbic, cynical baseball scout living a dreary and closed-off life in her 30s. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 So Knox introduces Juliette to the acerbic ex-miner Mark Chambers, who also tells Madame Mayor to forget about Lukas. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026 An unswervingly loyal oncologist, Wilson was the acerbic doctor's only true friend. — Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
  1. sarcastic
  2. satiric
  3. acidic
  4. barbed
  5. acid
Adjective
  • Eidra pushes her tendency to get glib and sarcastic rather than risk being vulnerable and honest to its farthest limits.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The interest has been driven largely by the brand's casual, sarcastic tone and active participation in online trends.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • In his essay, Baron Cohen says that’s the point, because the character is a satirical figure designed to expose prejudice.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Riehle played Tom Smykowski, a cynical Initech product manager, in Mike Judge’s 1999 satirical comedy Office Space, sharing credits with Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root and Gary Cole.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • Equatic pumps seawater through an electrolyzer, where an electric current passes through a sandwich of plastic and metal plates and separates the water into two streams, one alkaline and one acidic, while also producing oxygen and hydrogen.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Under alkaline conditions, splitting water molecules takes over 100 times longer than in acidic environments.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • Palestinian activist Eid Hatlin said barbed wire in the yard was placed by settlers.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to what's already one of the world's most heavily armed borders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • Whatever your pleasure, there’s no wrong way to take an acid trip.
    — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of acid

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Cite this Entry

“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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